Net Daily: E-shopping slowdown seen

CBS.MarketWatch.com

Nielsen/NetRatings said Wednesday its Holiday E-Commerce Index declined 3.8 percent for the week ending December 19."The Web holiday shopping season this year is tracking a few weeks earlier than the offline retail world," said Peggy O'Neill, director and principal analyst at NetRatings
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"Fearful of delivery logistics, surfers caused a noticeable drop in traffic the week before Christmas. Cybershoppers in 1999 tend not to be huge procrastinators." Product categories showing the greatest declines were gifts and toys. Online malls also showed one of the most sizeable drops. December 12 was the busiest holiday shopping day this season, the researchers reported.

Separately, Net Ratings said Nielsen Media Research increased its ownership in the company to 54 percent. The deal was worth about $236 million in cash, Net Ratings said.

ZDNet sets aside $1 million in ads for charity

ZDNet
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said it'll launch a year-long advertising program valued at $1 million to raise money for Tomorrows Children's Fund. The New Jersey-based Fund helps children suffering from cancer and blood diseases. ZDNet will donate over 15 million advertising impressions over the year, encouraging encourage visitors to make contributions.

30 places to celebrate New Year's online

The Millennium Special Edition, www.NorthernLight.com/2000, a collection of New Year's-themed Web sites was uploaded by Northern Light Technology. Northern Light is a search technology company. "Our librarians searched our database of over 200 million unique Web pages to find sites that offered more than just a static picture of activities celebrating the new millennium," said David Seuss, Chief Executive Officer. In addition to sites like Times Square 2000 and London's Millennium Dome Web site includes PBS Millennium 2000 and even a site that offers apocalyptic predictions.

CBS deal with Hollywood.com approved

Acquisition of a 30 percent interest in the parent company of Hollywood.com by CBS Inc.
CBS, +0.36%
was approved by shareholders of Big Entertainment Inc.
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They also voted to change the company's name to Hollywood.com, and its stock symbol to HOLL. CBS will gain its ownership interest in exchange for $105 million worth of promotion, advertising and content. "We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive product offering - which includes movie show times, movie reviews, celebrity interviews, cast and crew information, coverage of movie premieres and film festivals, and much more,'' said Mitchell Rubenstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hollywood.com.

Purchase expands TheStreet.com IPO coverage

Privately-held IpoPros.com will be acquired by TheStreet.com
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under terms of an agreement announced today. Founded by former hedge fund manager Ben Holmes, IpoPros.com offers access to original research, ratings and data. Holmes will continue to produce the IpoPros.com product, which is a subscription service, while also writing a daily IPO column for TheStreet.com. Financial terms of the purchase were not made available.

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